Artificial Intelligence in focus at CMU-Q lecture

DOHA, QATAR–Much of the public discourse about the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is based on flawed reasoning and incorrect extrapolation, according to Raj Reddy, the Moza Bint Nasser Chair of Computer Science and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University.

“AI will not replace humans, although it will lead to the loss of some jobs,” said Reddy. “However more new jobs will ultimately be created.”

Reddy was speaking at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) as a part of the Dean’s Lecture Series, a forum for leaders in business, government and academia to discuss issues that affect the future of Qatar and the world. A pioneer in computer science, Reddy is a recipient of the A.M. Turing Award for pioneering the design and construction of large-scale artificial intelligence systems.

Looking to the future of AI, Reddy said that in the short term, cognition amplifiers present interesting opportunities. Cognition amplifiers are intelligent agents that enhance human capabilities, and do tasks faster with less effort.

In the long term, AI opportunities include technologies that would enable humans to do tasks they cannot do now, including discovering and warning humans about unanticipated events that impact safety, security and happiness.

In his introduction, Michael Trick, dean of CMU-Q, noted that among Reddy’s many accomplishments, he played a crucial role in bringing Carnegie Mellon University to Qatar.

“Thanks to Dr. Reddy’s contribution as Education City was first being established, CMU-Q is now a thriving campus and our alumni are contributing to the development of Qatar in many fields and sectors,” said Trick. “This is just one accomplishment in more than five decades of pioneering work, and it is an honor to have Dr. Reddy return to CMU-Q to share his insights and wisdom.”

In 2000, while serving as co-chair of the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee under President Clinton, Reddy was invited to join a committee to advise Qatar on the best way to build and implement an IT infrastructure. Through this committee, Reddy was asked if he would initiate discussions with CMU leadership about Carnegie Mellon partnering with Qatar Foundation to bring computer science education to Qatar.